humanity
Humanity topics include pieces on the real lives of music professionals, amateurs, inspiring students, celebrities, lifestyle influencers, and general feel good human stories in the music sphere.
A Playlist Of Places. Top Story - September 2022.
Introduction I was wondering if I could create a playlist of songs I love about places, because I love the place or have a great friend who lives there or it is just a beautiful song that makes me want to go there. We all love something that gives us a feeling of warmth, comfort and longing.
By Mike Singleton đź’ś Mikeydred 3 years ago in Beat
Why We Need Videos like Dove Cameron's Breakfast. Top Story - August 2022.
On August 23rd, Dove Cameron released the video for her latest single, Breakfast. On June 24, 2022, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that affirmed the constitutional right to abortion. Dove Cameron herself has always been an outspoken advocate for human rights, including the right to choose. She's never been afraid to speak passionately about her convictions and using her platform to raise the voices of the under privileged as well. As a queer woman in the spotlight, she's fighting her own battles against the patriarchy on a far too regular basis.
By Josey Pickering3 years ago in Beat
It's still falling down...
Thank you for the track All Falls Down. A long time ago, when life was simpler, this was simply a song with a funky beat and great lyrics that had a great vibe to it. Those were my adolescent days with my juvenile problems that felt like true cataclysmic catastrophes. Those would pale in comparison to the things that stress me today. This song speaks volumes about the trials and tribulations one will encounter on the road to glory. I’m sure we all know how the song goes, but take into consideration the separate phases the song goes through in just a matter of minutes. Now I’m writing solely based on my own experiences and interpretations of the song. I’ve second-guessed both of my degrees from the moment I got them because it’s so hard to find passion in a field with little to no grey area. “That major that she majored in don’t make no money.” Story of my life. Because the money to be made entails becoming a person I’m not equipped to be. Selling yourself for a dollar is the theme. I thought I could find security in a field that wouldn’t deviate so far from the rules and that hasn’t been the case. The song itself reminds me that things will continue to go wrong as long as you keep focusing on all the wrongs around you. It takes a strong mind to be able to see the positives around you whenever everything seems darkest. The song will transcend time and generations because the problems depicted in the song have continued to plague our society. Many will criticize a person that decides to overlook their shortcomings for the pursuit of happiness. But those same people will also advise you to do what makes you happy. The contradiction lies in the fact that advice can only seem sound when that person is happy with their situation. The struggles we encounter will always be in abundance. It helps define us because the person that rises from being knocked down is never the same person that went down. You rise a little tougher, a little wiser, a lot more determined.
By The Omnipotent Deity3 years ago in Beat
Empowerment, Agency, Grace, and Reinvention
A lazy narrative says that Taylor Swift writes breakup songs, or songs about boys that are written for adolescent girls. It’s lazy both because it ignores the depth and breadth of what she has accomplished, and even more so because it doesn’t consider the empowering stories and lessons she tells. This (long) essay explains why I see her work as groundbreaking, transformative, and vital to our 21st century world, a world that doesn’t experience enough peace or grace and sees far too much anger and intolerance—a world that needs and is blessed by Taylor Swift.
By Richard Buck3 years ago in Beat
Life's Rhythms
We are all born with a natural rhythm. It controls our actions and thoughts from birth until death. I know this sounds like an oversimplification because everyone seems so different. Some people may sing like a nightingale or croak like a frog. Others move like they are walking on air while the rest of us dance as though we are wearing cement shoes. No matter where our talents lie, the beat is in us all. Let me explain.
By Mark Gagnon3 years ago in Beat
A case of mistaken identity
It was October 2006 and A friend of mine from Italy was in town working on an album with the same folks who had produced Nirvana. So he took a break and came to stay with me for the holidays. I had just bought my first house in the San Fernando Valley and was very excited to have company. Umberto is the lead singer of a Rock Band 🎸called URock. It wasn’t until a few years ago that Umberto finally told me the fantastic story of how the band was named.
By Alexis Nichele3 years ago in Beat
ReleaSING
ReleaSING the Catch 22- FORWARD Do you feel stuck? Like something is holding you back? Well, I have and still do. Sometimes it’s fear, past pain, self-sabotage, insecurities, poor programming. I have been there and to be honest, I am writing and doing this afraid with major flaws. ReleaSING the Catch 22! It’s that “damned if I don’t, damned if I do” situation. Not just a feeling. Some circumstances just block us on every side it seems and it’s tough to get unstuck.
By Shawna Ray3 years ago in Beat
The 10 Songs That Changed Me
Music is what we come into this world with. The beating of our hearts, the sighs and murmurs of those gifted to witness a new life come forth, the lullabies that grace our unchecked ears. A soft, yet chaotic rhythm that sets the tone for our interesting lifespans on this earth. Music is what we use as an enhancement to our lives- to set the tone, to brighten the mood, to feel like we're not alone. Music is one of the things that make life worth living . . . and music is sometimes what changes our lives. Millions have written poetry, songs, books, and movies about music and what it can do for a person.
By Delise Fantome4 years ago in Beat
Brass Memories
The most impressionable moments happen when we least expect them. After all, there’s no rulebook by which we grade parenthood. As I recall memories of my dad, through the lenses of adulthood, I’d describe him as brave, bold, and passionate. Brave as illness crept through his bones, threatening all that he loved. He fought with courage and purpose to return home, defeating cancer for the first time. Bold, in his rejection of the mundane. He followed his internal compass without apology, carving his own path. This transmuted the world's noise into song and rewarded him with a life immersed in art and culture. Passionate as the dreamer, determined to manifest his innermost desires. While there are many, but not nearly enough, exciting moments I shared with my dad. The certainty that he remained true to himself has inspired me the most. This established that for parents, it’s hardly ever what you say. Instead, it is always their actions that influence impactful imprints.
By Luna Jupiter4 years ago in Beat
